At least four people were killed and around ten others injured after a private bus collided with a tanker and caught fire in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district on Thursday morning. The tragic accident took place near Kharaghoda on the Surendranagar–Ahmedabad highway, causing panic among passengers and local residents.
According to police officials, the bus was travelling from Bhuj to Ahmedabad when it rammed into a tanker moving ahead on the highway. Soon after the collision, the bus caught fire, and flames quickly spread through a large portion of the vehicle. Several passengers reportedly struggled to escape as thick smoke engulfed the bus within minutes.
Local residents and nearby motorists rushed to the spot and helped rescue passengers before emergency teams arrived. Fire brigade personnel later controlled the blaze after a major rescue operation. Officials confirmed that four passengers died in the incident, while at least ten others sustained burn injuries and fractures. The injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities said the impact of the collision was severe, and preliminary investigations suggest that overspeeding or driver negligence may have contributed to the accident. However, the exact cause will be determined only after a detailed inquiry. Police teams have begun recording statements from survivors and eyewitnesses.
The accident also caused massive traffic congestion on the highway for several hours as rescue operations and road clearance work continued. Police diverted vehicles through alternative routes until the damaged bus and tanker were removed from the spot.
Senior district officials visited the accident site and instructed authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured passengers. Officials also said forensic teams may inspect the burnt vehicle to determine how the fire spread so rapidly after the crash.
The incident has once again raised concerns over road safety and highway accidents involving heavy vehicles in Gujarat. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.
